When Jelena Ostapenko stunned the tennis world by lifting the French Open trophy earlier this year, some questioned if this was just a one-off. Now playing for a place in the quarter-finals at SW19, the Latvian is hoping for lightning to strike twice.
In recent months the women’s tour has been wide open with numerous players shining at specific events. Since Serena Williams took maternity leave, few have managed to maintain a consistent balance in their form. It is an unsurprising outcome considering the last woman other than Williams to win back-to-back grand slam titles was Kim Clijsters over six years ago (2010 US Open followed by the 2011 Australian Open).
20-year-old Ostapenko is bidding to buckle the trend of inconsistency at Wimbledon. Leading into the tournament she suffered a quarter-final loss at the Eastbourne Open to Johanna Konta. Nevertheless, she has battled her way into the second week at the grand slam major with the hope of becoming only the second Latvian woman in history to reach the quarter-finals.
“It was very important to win those couple of matches after winning such a big event and that gives me more confidence.” Ostapenko told The Daily Mail.
Despite being the reigning French Open champion, Ostapenko’s credentials in the fourth round make interesting reading. Out of the 16 players remaining in the draw, she is only one out of four to win a title in 2017. On the other hand, she is the second youngest player after Ana Konjuh. Furthermore, Wimbledon is only her ninth grand slam appearance, the lowest compared to the other 15 players in the fourth round.
Experience is certainly not on her side, however, Ostapenko has the belief and desire to once again beat the odds.
“’After winning such a big event, now I want to win the other Grand Slams,’ she stated. “It’s tough because I have a lot of attention from everyone and people expect more from me. I have more pressure.”
Standing in her way will be fourth seed Elina Svitolina, the only WTA player to win four titles so far this season. It will be the first meeting on the tour between the two with Ostapenko hoping to use her aggressive play to her own advantage.
“Svitolina is a great player. She’s playing good this season. I know I will have to stay aggressive playing against her. Yeah, I can go for my shots. That’s probably the goal.” She said.
Ostapenko’s journey on the tour might not always be picture perfect with a series of scrappy wins. Yet it is her fearless approach to the game that makes her so good and interesting for tennis fans. There is still a way to go, but she might just be the player to start shining on a consistent basis. It is for this reason, why some are hoping her Wimbledon run doesn’t end on manic Monday.
